Lexey Swall/Staff
Scenes from the Kelly Cup Championship fan celebration Tuesday at Germain Arena in Estero. Everblades fans had the opportunity to talk to players, get autographs and have their photos taken with the Kelly Cup.

Michael Hornung is an original Florida Everblades season-ticket holder and former writer of the Behind the Glass blog for the Daily News.

It took 14 long years, but the Blades finally were able to win the Kelly Cup last Wednesday night in front of a sell-out crowd.

My excitement for the Blades began many months prior to the first puck being dropped on then-TECO Arena ice back in October 1997.

Having the unique opportunity to watch firsthand my favorite teams win a championship became second nature — first the New York Mets in 1969 and 1986, then N.Y. Knicks in 1970, the Islanders in 1980-84, and N.Y. Giants in 1986, 1990, 2007 and 2012. All four of my favorite professional teams not only won a championship, but I was fortunate to be there when they won, and celebrated.

I thought it would only be a short time for the Blades to win a championship. The team was solid from Day 1, the arena was brand new and there was genuine excitement for hockey in Southwest Florida. From Naples to Sarasota fans were packing the arena to support the Blades.

In 2004, the Blades were in the Kelly Cup Finals. The time had finally come for a championship, only to have the anticipation vanish in a disappointing defeat to Idaho in five games. The next year, the Blades were back in the Finals and were leading in the third period of Game 5 in Trenton, N.J., only to see the lead slip away. The Trenton Titans won the Cup in six games, and adding insult to injury, I had watch the Cup being skated around Germain Arena ice by the opposing team.

Finally, last Wednesday, the Florida Everblades were able to win the very elusive Kelly Cup. Fourteen years of preseason hope, the highs and lows of a long regular season, the road trips with the boys, and the anticipation of a long playoff run had finally paid off — the Blades were crowned Kelly Cup champs and the missing piece to "my" favorite teams' championships was finally in place.

Thanks to all the players on this 2011-12 championship team, and special thanks to coach Greg Poss and owner Craig Brush. Enjoy the moment. I know I am.

Michael Hornung is an original Florida Everblades season-ticket holder and former writer of the Behind the Glass blog for the Daily News.